The Wreck In the Estuary

I am currently on the Isle of Sheppey at its principal town Sheerness. This led me think gain about that sunken World war II ship loaded with explosives , the American SS Montgomery. The ship was wrecked off The Nore in the Thames Estuary in 1944.

It contains around 1,400 tonnes (1,500 short tons) of explosives on board,which continue to be a hazard to the area. According to a visual survey in 2009 the ship is at a depth of 15 m (49 ft), on average, and leaning to starboard. At all states of the tide, its three masts are visible above the water.

The hoard comprises the following items of ordnance -

• 286 × 2,000 lb (910 kg) high explosive
• 4,439 × 1,000 lb (450 kg) bombs of various types
• 1,925 × 500 lb (230 kg) bombs
• 2,815 fragmentation bombs and bomb clusters
• Various explosive booster charges
• Various smoke bombs, including white phosphorous bombs
• Various pyrotechnic signals

An investigation by New Scientist magazine concluded in 2004, based partly on government documents released in 2004, that the cargo was still deadly, and could be detonated by a collision, an attack, or even shifting of the cargo in the tide. The bad condition of the bombs is such that they could explode spontaneously. Documents declassified shortly before revealed that the wreck was not dealt with immediately after it happened, or in the intervening 60 years, due to the expense. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency nevertheless believe that the risk of a major explosion is remote. The UK government's Receiver of Wreck commissioned a risk assessment in 1999, but this risk assessment has not been published.^.The Maritime and Coastguard Agency convened with local and port authorities to discuss the report in 2001 and concluded that "doing nothing was not an option for much longer."

Surveys undertaken in 2008 and 2009 and reported in September 2011, showed that the ship was continuing to deteriorate structurally, with accelerated deterioration in some areas and new cracks appearing in the bow section of the wreck.^. The report stated that "Whilst significant structural collapse does not appear to be imminent, surveys suggest that this prospect is getting closer. The increasing calls for a new airport in the Thames estuary would mean a solution would have to be found for removing the wreck, or at least making it safe if the airport ,plans go ahead.




If this wreck should ever explode the force of the explosive and resulting tidai wave would oblirate Sheppey and part of the North are of Kent.

Hopefully a solution to this eyesore will be found.

(Informatiom form Wikipedia)